For “American Flea”, I’ve been photographing the vendors and customers at flea markets in the rural southeastern United States. I find the people open, interesting, and noticeably quirky. Many are retirees, unemployed or underemployed, or recent immigrants. In spite of these varied backgrounds, they all share one powerful characteristic- they love meeting and talking to new people. They want to tell their story and hear the stories of others.

I believe the portraits in “American Flea” show these individuals as emblematic of the American experience of the last ten or more years. They’re often struggling to make ends meet, but they face that challenge with great good humor and positivity.

— Forest McMullin